(Posted on March 14, 2013)
Today I had a stereotactic biopsy. If my friend, Lori, wouldn't have told me what to expect, I would have been totally surprised. The experience was a little out of the ordinary and mildly amusing to me, despite the possibility of cancer.
My faithful husband came with me to this appointment. He listened to the radiologist in her office as she told us about the procedure and what was going to happen. He asked her why it was called a stereotactic biopsy. She said because 2 (as in stereo) pictures will be taken, one on either side of the area where the needle will be placed. The mammogram takes the pictures.
After the consult, Scott went out to the waiting area and sat, reading his Nook. I went to the room where the biopsy was to be done.
First of all, I lay face down on a table with a hole cut out for both breasts to hang through. Then the table was raised up a bit and the doctor sat next to the table while working under it. Next, a mammogram machine was attached to my breast under the table. (And it was securely clamped on there, believe me!) Once the questionable area was found by using the mammogram x-rays, and after applying lanocaine, the doctor shot a hollow-core needle into my breast and took out a tissue sample. Simple, huh?!
Although there was some maneuvering, and repositioning and clamping, it wasn't too bad. I just had to stay perfectly still for about 20 minutes. Afterwards, the nurse gave me an ice-pack to reduce any swelling and then wrapped me up with a pink ace bandage.
I won't find out the results of the biopsy until Monday or Tuesday.
I think its gonna be a long weekend!
Written 03/08/2013
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